My Nonprofit Reviews

I have happily spent the last 7 years as a volunteer at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor Michigan. My experiences there have been such a variety of activities and emotions with many happy memories as well as many sad memories. By sad memories I refer to watching many of the animals that are turned in by their owners and struggling to adjust. I have spent time in the cages with some of the dogs who have been turned in, and watch them try to figure out where they are and where their family is. Some sit and wait for their owners to come back. The staff does an outstanding job of working with these animals helping them adjust to their new temporary home until that perfect person /family comes in and makes the decision to adopt. Because Huron Valley is such a busy atmosphere there are constant activities going on all the time. I am always impressed how each department works together to ensure all the animals are healthy, trained, exercised daily, fed on a regular schedule, and loved up constantly. Huron Valley also offers many opportunities for children to be involved in activities and training. They are taught by staff members who work with them on handling of the animals, educating them on animal care, and allowing them to spend time sitting with the animals. I enjoy watching our Junior Volunteers( 12 and up) sit with animals as they have such an opportunity to observe the animals and learn how they behave and adjust to their surroundings. The back of the staff is responsible for numerous activities such as working with the animals who are having a hard time adjusting to their new environment at the Humane Society, watching over them to see if any are ill or getting depressed, or just need a little extra attention and love. The Humane Society gets a lot of requests to have the dogs visit local restaurants and businesses. It is a great opportunity to introduce the dogs to outside adventures and new people. One of the great results from these adventures is that many times the animals end up getting adopted by the people that saw them at these interactions. I cannot express enough how impressed I am observing all that goes in at Huron Valley. It is fascinating and gratifying to me how volunteers and staff work so well together to ensure the health and safety of each animal in their care.